John Debney scores Lair

[Red 75]

Damn, I wish there was someway I could get this score........

You might be surprised by how easy it can be to get video games soundtracks on the internet . . .

[indy4 155]

There is!Ray Barnsbury - who thinks it's a wonderful Christmas score, particularly the enchanting main title tracks

Oh my god, you're kidding! I had no clue, I thought I'd already searched it on Amazon....Thanks Ray Barnsbury!!!!!!!!!!

From the 30 second sample on iTunes, "Civilization Theme" sounds like "Theme from Schindler's List," sort of.

What?What?What?I'm listening to it right now and it sounds nothing like Schindler's List, although Horner's danger motif slips in at the end.

Then make sure you're listening to the right track.

[John Crichton 4]

Damn, I wish there was someway I could get this score........

You might be surprised by how easy it can be to get video games soundtracks on the internet . . .

Indeed. Easier than film scores.

[Henry B 50]

There is!Ray Barnsbury - who thinks it's a wonderful Christmas score, particularly the enchanting main title tracks

Oh my god, you're kidding! I had no clue, I thought I'd already searched it on Amazon....Thanks Ray Barnsbury!!!!!!!!!!

From the 30 second sample on iTunes, "Civilization Theme" sounds like "Theme from Schindler's List," sort of.

What?What?What?I'm listening to it right now and it sounds nothing like Schindler's List, although Horner's danger motif slips in at the end.

Then make sure you're listening to the right track.

"Civilization Theme" is similar to "Theme from Schindler's List" in that it features a solo violin. There's really nothing in the music suggestive of Schindler's, though.

[indy4 155]

There is!Ray Barnsbury - who thinks it's a wonderful Christmas score, particularly the enchanting main title tracks

Oh my god, you're kidding! I had no clue, I thought I'd already searched it on Amazon....Thanks Ray Barnsbury!!!!!!!!!!

From the 30 second sample on iTunes, "Civilization Theme" sounds like "Theme from Schindler's List," sort of.

What?What?What?I'm listening to it right now and it sounds nothing like Schindler's List, although Horner's danger motif slips in at the end.

Then make sure you're listening to the right track.

"Civilization Theme" is similar to "Theme from Schindler's List" in that it features a solo violin. There's really nothing in the music suggestive of Schindler's, though.

It's the mood of the piece, too. I've only heard the 30 second sample, but the mood is just like SL.

There is!Ray Barnsbury - who thinks it's a wonderful Christmas score, particularly the enchanting main title tracks

One part of the score that I really liked, I was wondering if it was on the soundtrack--it's a male choir, singing the word "bum" or something. I think it's right after Buddy finds out he's a human, and he runs out into the snow.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

I like the boom-tzzs in this score

[Pieter Boelen 740]

Interesting: John Debney talks about scoring Lair: http://blog.us.playstation.com/?author=4025

[BLUMENKOHL 1,070]

It's the mood of the piece, too. I've only heard the 30 second sample, but the mood is just like SL.

The mood and tone are NOTHING like Schindler's List. This is whimsical by comparison.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

Interesting: John Debney talks about scoring Lair: http://blog.us.playstation.com/?author=4025

thats where i read the score was enough to score 3 movies (6-8 hours)

But i think there was another source.

Yes, here:

click

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

There is!

Ray Barnsbury - who thinks it's a wonderful Christmas score, particularly the enchanting main title tracks

One part of the score that I really liked, I was wondering if it was on the soundtrack--it's a male choir, singing the word "bum" or something. I think it's right after Buddy finds out he's a human, and he runs out into the snow.

Hmm, I'm not sure. That would be towards the beginning, right? I don't remember enough about the film, but it could be the track "A Stroll With Buddy." That has male vocals that seem to fit your description.

Ray Barnsbury

[Pieter Boelen 740]

This review of a Lair promo is also interesting: http://www.tracksounds.com/reviews/lair_pr...john_debney.htm

[indy4 155]

There is!

Ray Barnsbury - who thinks it's a wonderful Christmas score, particularly the enchanting main title tracks

One part of the score that I really liked, I was wondering if it was on the soundtrack--it's a male choir, singing the word "bum" or something. I think it's right after Buddy finds out he's a human, and he runs out into the snow.

Hmm, I'm not sure. That would be towards the beginning, right? I don't remember enough about the film, but it could be the track "A Stroll With Buddy." That has male vocals that seem to fit your description.

Ray Barnsbury

Okay, thanks!

[Red 75]

This review of a Lair promo is also interesting: http://www.tracksounds.com/reviews/lair_pr...john_debney.htm

That was just great.

[Panthera 0]

Does the promo have any music not on the official Itunes release? I'd really like to know.

[Henry B 50]

The track titles described in the promo sound similar to those of the iTunes release.

Speaking of the iTunes release, I carelessly deleted artist information from my downloaded music. Is there any way to restore this information, like by downloading the music again? Obviously, I mean without buying the album again.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

Does the promo have any music not on the official Itunes release? I'd really like to know.

i read that there is a promo with 24 tracks, different track names and 30 seconds shorter than the itunes release. But i dont know anymore about it.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

According to IMDB this score was recorded and mixed by Simon Rhodes, who also recorded Cutthroat Island. It has that same huge-ness about it, that was completely missing from Debney's other epic score, the Shawn Murphy recorded The Scorpion King.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

shimon rodes also worked on the HP scores.

And Alatriste and some Horner's scores.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I know Manuel.

Rhodes only did the first 2 HP scores mind you.

Good thing too, Shawn was really crap in that period.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,070]

I'm curious what Debney will come up with for Iron Man.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I'll bet you anything it will feature an anvil.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,070]

Bah. I was hoping for solo piano.

[Delorean90 42]

"Guess what?! I've got a fever! And the only prescription...is more anvil!"

Seriously, though, anvil is cool. At least, when Williams uses it (like, say, in "Bug Tunnel and Death Trap").

[indy4 155]

what's anvil

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

what's anvil

[indy4 155]

ooooohhhhh...you meant that quite literally...

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

haven you noticed any hammer hitting an anvil in any score?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

OK listened to this complete release for the first time today.

I first heard a suite of this performed in Spain a few months ago, and I thought it sounded pretty damn good....I want to hear more of this....

As usual, I was not wrong.

One of the more annoying things about a lot of film music in the last few years is that the big, brash up-front and center themes seem to have gone out of fashion. Yes there are still thenes, but everything has to be more subtle, or simple or subdued, or hidden in layers of percussion.

Even X-Men 3, lauded by many of it's great use of it's thematic material held back a bit for most of it's running time.

Lair has several, big, even massive and sumptuous themes, the kind you pick up on the first time you hear them and the kind you whistle when leaving the cinema. (even though this is a game score, and no one goes to the cinema anymore...)

Another good thing about Lair is the scale. It's written and recorded as a massive work. Huge bursts of low brass, augmented with lashings of sweeping string work.

I can't remember the last time I heard a newly composed score that was this epic, must have been The Mummy Returns.

The only other Debney score I know that is bigger is Cutthroath Island. Lair matches it, though the orchestrations and particulary the percussion isn not as relentless (Which should please King Mark)

Debney skillfully blend good-oldfashioned hollywood epic music, with more contemporary, rhythmically driven pieces and some more excotic music. After Munich, I thought I was sick to death of the solo-etnic wailing-women-voice, but here it actually sounds good because even when combined with the Ehru, the presence of that huge orchestra prevents it into turning into "world music".

Originality....

I have only a few Debney scores so I cannot properly judge the man's musical voice. Some say he has none and that he's just emulating temp tracks.

Even on my one and a half listen I could fairly easily pick out some material that was either a homage, the result of a temp track or just a rip-off..

Civilisation Theme has no similarity to anything in Schindlers List, save that both contain a solo violin. However the theme did edge towards Horner's lovetheme from Zorro a few times. It's very subtle and I could just be imagining it. It ends however with a few statements from Jamie's Danger motif, which had me laughing out loud.

Divener Battle has a rather strong Williams flavor, the trumpet fanfares particulary reminded me of his Prequel work.

Deadman's Basin starts with a nice homage to The Anvil Of Crom. He should have called it Deadman's Basil....

Or maybe not...

Firestrorm, from 1:33 onwards the brass & percussion rhytm is classic Hans Zimmer/Media Ventures/Bruckheimer testosterone action stuff, but it's performed by a big orchestra without synth and has the impressive Rohn's Theme playing over it, so it's really fantastic.

Bridge Attack is clearly modeled on Total Recal's action music.

Now all of these facts, and the ones that I obviously have not discovered yet should make me think less of this score, but I don't.

There are 2 kinds of re-use/rip offs. The ones that make you squirm and the ones that make you smile.

John Debney is making me smile with glee!

I just wish I could buy it as a proper cd!

[Red 75]

Could this make you appreciate video game scores (more)?

[Morlock 11]

Anyone other than iTunes have this? iTunes aint' available here yet.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

If they are composed by proper film composers like Howard Shore or Johannes Debney....

[Red 75]

Have you even given people like Nobuo Uematsu a chance?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Who?

I'm not at all familiar with videogames, nor do I have any real interest in playing them, so I do not know the names of any of these composers, save Giachina!

[Red 75]

He's a Japanese composer who has done most of the Final Fantasy series.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

NEXT!

[Morlock 11]

That's what I said when friend of mine tried to get me into it. But than he made me a CD, and I must say, it's got some terrific stuff in it.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

After Munich, I thought I was sick to death of the solo-etnic wailing-women-voice, but here it actually sounds good because even when combined with the Ehru, the presence of that huge orchestra prevents it into turning into "world music"

Munich wailing also has instruments backing it. And its just two treack on a 2-3 hour movie.... there are far worse scores that are based arround wailing to put es example of exasperation...

As i said Diviner battle commences with 'material' from Giacchino's 'Kronos Unveiled from The Incredibles

[indy4 155]

Elf just arrived...what a great score! It didn't have the music I bought it for, but it had incredibly beautiful music (particularly Buddy and Santa's Flight). Can't wait for Cutthroat Island to arrive, so I can get another taste of Debney.

[Neimoidian 14]

Uematsu rulez - his scores to the Final Fantasy series are classics.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

If anyone cares:

bmps link

There are three back covers with different tracklists:

a) the itunes order

b) Bridge battle and Attack in its correct place

c) Same as B but with Main menu put as End titles

Enjoy

[John Crichton 4]

Uematsu rulez - his scores to the Final Fantasy series are classics.

A random comment but one I agree with 100%.

John- who needs to check out Lair

[bondo 33]

I've been listening to this score non-stop, and it has become one of my all-time favorites. And by the way, supposedly you can get the entire score (54 tracks) as a bonus feature after you complete the game. I don't have the game or a PS3, but I was able to download a rip from someone. This still needs a label release though.

[Luke Skywalker 1,805]

The bonus feature is concert hall screen like in Rogue Suadron and Battle for Naboo (unlocked with cheats)

Factor5 seems to like to do those things. With lair, it was an excellent idea

[Pieter Boelen 740]

There are three back covers with different tracklists:

b) Bridge battle and Attack in its correct place

Could you tell me where the correct place would be for these tracks? It really bothers me that they are after the "Battle for Asylia" track, because that should be the last action track. I want to move them around and put them where they belong. Unfortunately it seems that the cover download link does not work for me at the moment.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,070]

I don't see what the big deal with this score is...there are only a few WOW tracks, and the rest of it is just good fantasy music that we've all heard over and over and over.

[bondo 33]

I don't see what the big deal with this score is...there are only a few WOW tracks, and the rest of it is just good fantasy music that we've all heard over and over and over.

You make a valid point. However, like Cutthroat Island, Debney has composed some absolutely beautiful music and thrilling action music that is catchy and utilizes the full power of the orchestra. Debney is a master of "sweeping" and "grand," and LAIR is no exception. It's just plain old orchestral grandeur done right.

And of course as far as videogame scores go, this one is a masterpiece.

[Henry B 50]

I was thrilled with this at first, but now I sort of agree with Blumenkohl. It's good music, but it's groundbreaking not in the slightest.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,070]

However, like Cutthroat Island

This holds no candle to Cutthroat Island I'm afraid.

"Kameo - The Elements of Power" still remains my favorite entry into the orchestral video game fantasy genre.

[bondo 33]

However, like Cutthroat Island

This holds no candle to Cutthroat Island I'm afraid.

I was only comparing it to Cutthroat Island because it was a loud, orchestral Debney score. Once you've written something that great, it's hard (and usually impossible) to top it. Stylistically, Lair is a much more diverse score.

[John Crichton 4]

"Kameo - The Elements of Power" still remains my favorite entry into the orchestral video game fantasy genre.

You know, I'm not familiar with that. Who's it by?

- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves